THREE Keep Fit coaches are stepping out on a new season of classes to help young people remain active.

Christine Chapman, Janet Balfour and Linda Surtees run after-school classes and evening sessions in the Chester-le-Street area.

For the the Keep Fit Association's Youth Moves scheme, they have put hundreds of youngsters through their paces each week.

They will take a team of their keep fit students to perform at the Royal Albert Hall, in London, next year.

The invite came after performances at dance festivals in Nottingham and Peterborough. Mrs Chapman said: "It's not until May, but we'll be raising money through the course of the year at different events."

In the meantime, after-school and community centre classes start this week, as the new school year gets under way. For details, call 0191-388-1043.

Children's classes start at Park View Community Association, off Roman Avenue, on Saturday, for four to seven-year-olds, from 9.45am to 10.30am, and for seven to 11-year-olds, from 10.45am to 11.30am.

The 11 to 15-year-old category will be held on Mondays, at 6.15pm, and for 15 to 19-year-olds, on Wednesdays, from 7pm to 8pm.